Machine mounted cutting torch

ABSTRACT

A machine mounted cutting torch comprising a valve block assembly and a head assembly. First, second and third valve assemblies are provided in the valve block assembly and are connected to sources of oxygen, oxygen and industrial gas respectively. The valve assemblies are actuated by a trigger lever pivotally mounted on the valve block assembly which is movable between first, second and third positions. All of the valve assemblies are normally closed when the trigger lever is in its first position. The second and third valve assemblies are opened when the trigger lever is moved to its second position so that oxygen and industrial gas can flow therethrough respectively. The first, second and third valve assemblies are opened when the trigger level is in its third position. The second and third assemblies are in communication with a rotatable volume control valve mounted in the valve block assembly which is adapted to permit the proper oxygen-gas mixture to flow therethrough when the first and second valve assemblies are opened. The volume control valve is in communication with the torch nozzle or tip at the forward end of the head assembly. The torch also includes an oxygen line which connects the first valve assembly and the nozzle so that additional oxygen can be supplied to the nozzle when the actual cutting operation is to be performed.

United States Patent Etter 151 3,684,187 1 Aug. 15,1972

1 1 MACHINE MOUNTED CUTTING TORCH 721 lnventor: Berwyn E. Etter, Box 11965, St.

Petersburg, Fla. 33733 [22] Filed: June 5, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 43,810 Related Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 2,048, Jan. 12,

1970, Pat. NO. 3,604,631.

{52] US. Cl. ..239/414, 137/62519, 137/625.47,

Navara ..l37/625.l9 X

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Assistant ExaminerEdwin D. Grant Att0rney-Zarley, McKee & Thomte [57] ABSTRACT A machine mounted cutting torch comprising a valve block assembly and a head assembly. First, second and third valve assemblies are provided in the valve block assembly and are connected to sources of oxygen, oxygen and industrial gas respectively. The valve assemblies are actuated by a trigger lever pivotally mounted on the valve block assembly which is movable between first, second and third positions. All of the valveassemblies are normally closed when the trigger lever is in its first position. The second and third valve assemblies are opened when the trigger lever is moved to its second position so that oxygen and industrial gas can flow therethrough respectively. The first, secondand third valve assemblies are opened when the trigger level is in its third position. The second and third assemblies are in communication with a rotatable volume control valve mounted in the valve block assembly which is adapted to permit the proper oxygen-gasmixture to flow therethrough when the first and second valve assemblies are opened. The volume control valve is in communication with the torch nozzle or-tip at the forward end of the head assembly. The torch also includes an oxygen line which connects the first valve assembly and the nozzle so that additional oxygen can be supplied to the nozzle when the actual cutting operation is to be performed.

8 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED Alli; 15 m2 SHEET 1 BF 2 MACHINE MOUNTED CUTTING TORCH This is a continuation-in-part application of the application Ser. No. 2,048 filed Jan. 12, 1970 (US. Pat. No. 3,604,631).

Conventional cutting torches generally employ at least two thumbscrew type valves which are connected to sources of oxygen and acetylene and which must be individually operated in an attempt to obtain the desired flow therethrough. It is difiicult and time consuming to coordinate the two valves so that the proper mixture and volume is achieved. The device of the copending application represents a distinct improvement over the prior art devices and the invention of this application relates to an improvement over the device of the co-pending application. More particularly, this invention relates to a machine mounted cutting torch.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a cutting torch having a volume control valve therein which coordinates the flow of oxygen and gas therethrough to obtain the proper oxygen-gas mixture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine mounted cutting torch having a trigger lever pivotally mounted thereon which actuates the valve assemblies therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine mounted cutting torch which is ideally suited for use with the new types of industrial gas.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cutting torch including an oxygen line therein-which bypasses the volume control valve to permit additional oxygen to be supplied to the torch nozzle for cutting operations.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cutting torch which is convenient to use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cutting torch which is economical to manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the torch of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the torch having portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the relationship of the oxygen, gas and oxygen lines which extend through the valve block assemblies.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as seen along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the gas distribution valve block and the distribution shaft, the broken lines indicating the gas and oxygen lines extending therethrough.

The cutting torch of the invention is designated by the reference numeral 10 generally comprising a valve block assembly 12 and a head assembly 14. Head assembly 12 includes a tubular body portion 16 having pipes 18, 20 and 22 extending from its rearward end 24 to its forward end 26. The rearward end 24 of body portion 16 is secured to the valve block assembly .12 by screws 28 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. A tip of nozzle 30 is mounted at the forward end of body portion 16 and is in communication with the pipes 18, 20 and 22.

Gas distribution valve block 32 has a cavity 34 extending downwardly thereinto, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and 6, having a gas distribution shaft 36 rotatably mounted therein. As seen in FIG. 6, shaft 36 is provided with a tapered skirt 38 at its lower end which is complementary in shape to the cavity 34. Skirt 38 includes an upper skirt portion 40 and a lower skirt portion 42. Upper skirt portion 40 is provided with a row of spaced apart openings 44 formed therein which extend inwardly from the outer surface thereof into a chamber portion 46. Lower skirt portion 42 is provided with a row of spaced apart openings 48 formed therein which extend inwardly from the outer surface thereof into a chamber portion 50. Extending around the skirt, the openings 44 progressively increase in diameter while the openings 44 progressively decrease in diameter.

Block 32 has a bore 52 formed therein which extends forwardly from the cavity 34 to communicate with the pipe 18. Block 32 also has a bore 54 formed therein which extends forwardly from the cavity 34 to communicate with the pipe 22. The rearward end of bores 52 and 54 are adapted to register with the individual openings 44 and 48 respectively upon the selective rotation of shaft 36. Bore 56 extends rearwardly and downwardly from cavity 34 to the rearward end 58 of block 32. Bore 60 also extends rearwardly from cavity 34 to the rearward end of the block 32. The forward end of bore 56 communicates with cavity 34 above the upper skirt portion 40 while the forward end of bore 60 communicates with cavity 34 below the lower skirt portion 42.

Shaft 36 rotatably extends upwardly through a detent plate 62 and has an indicator knob 64 mounted on its upper end. Knob 64 includes a detent ball means 66 mounted therein adapted to yieldably engage grooves 68 formed in the upper surface of detent plate 62 to yieldably maintain knob 64 in various positions of its rotational movement with respect to block 32. An 0- ring 70 is mounted below plate 62 as illustrated in FIG. 4 for sealing purposes. O-ring 72 embraces shaft 36 below plate 62 above a washer 74. Spring means 76 embraces shaft 36 below washer 74 to yieldably urge shaft 36 downwardly into cavity 34. Plate 62 is preferably secured to block 32 by screws or the like extending downwardly therethrough.

Valve block 80 is positioned rearwardly of block 32 and has a bore 82 extending downwardly thereinto from its upper end. Plunger 84 is vertically movably positioned in bore 82 and has a plunger rod 86 secured thereto which extends downwardly therefrom. Rod 86 includes a head or valve portion 88 having a gasket 90 mounted thereon. Spring means 92 normally maintains the valve portion 88 in a seated or sealed position on valve seat 94. Gasket 96 and O-ring 98 are provided to prevent the escape of gas upwardly from compartment area 100. Compartment area 100 is positioned above valve seat 94 and is in communication with a forwardly extending bore 102 which is in communication with bore 60.

Bore 104 is formed in block 80 below valve seat 94, the lower end of which is closed by a cover means 106. Bore 108 extends laterally from bore 104 to provide communication between bore 104 and the hose connector 110 threadably secured to the block 80. Hose connector 110 is adapted to be connected to a source of oxygen. Spring means 92 normally yieldably maintains valve 88 in a closed position to prevent the flow of oxygen from bore 104 into bore 102. For purposes of description the valve assembly just described will be generally referred to by the reference numeral 1 12.

Valve block 114 is positioned rearwardly of valve block 80 and has valve assemblies 112 and 112" mounted therein. Valve assemblies 112' and 112" are identical to valve block 112 and will not be described in detail. Bore 116 is in communication with bore 118 which extends through valve block 80. The forward end of bore 118 is in communication with bore 60 as illustrated in FIG. 3 Bore 120 extends rearwardly from valve assembly 112' as shown in FIG. 3. Hose connector 122 is threadably mounted in valve block 114 and is connected to a source of pressurized industrial gas such as Chemgas. Valve assembly 112' normally prevents communication between bores 120 and 116. Likewise, valve assembly 112" normally prevents communication between bores 124 and. 126 which are in communication with hose connector 128 and bore 130 respectively. The forward end of bore 130 is in communication with bore 56 as seen in FIG. 3. Hose connector 128 is connected to a source of pressurized oxygen.

Trigger lever 132 is pivotally mounted on trigger lever support 134 which comprises support members 136, 138, 140 and 142. Support 134 is secured to the valve blocks by any convenient means and pivotally supports the lever 132 by means of pin 144. Lever 132 has a downwardly extending area 146 which is adapted to engage the rearward end of block 114 to limit the pivotal movement of the lever in one direction with respect to the support 134.

The lever 132 has three screws 148 protruding from the lower end thereof which are adapted to engage the upper ends of the plungers 84, 84' and 84" to move the same downwardly as the forward end of the lever 132 is moved downwardly. Spaced apart detent ball assemblies 150 and 152 are mounted in the forward end of lever 132 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Spaced apart detent grooves 154 and 156 are formed in the rearward side of member 142. In the position of FIG. 4, the detent ball assemblies 150 and 152 are out of engagement with the grooves 154 and 156. Plungers 84' and 84" are depressed when detent ball assembly 150 engages groove 154. Plungers 84, 84 and 84 are depressed when detent ball assemblies 150 and 152 engage groove 156 (FIG.

The normal method of operation is as follows. Hose connectors 122 and 128 would normally be connected to a suitable pressure regulator means on the sources of industrial gas and oxygen so as to deliver the gas and oxygen to the gas distribution shaft at a predetermined pressure. The indicia 158 on plate 62 would have previously been calibrated so that the operator could rotate the knob 64 to the proper number depending on the particular cutting operation to be performed. In other words, if the operator rotates knob 64 to the number 8" on plate 62, oxygen and gas will flow through the openings 44 and 48 at a predetermined rate if the valve assemblies 112 and 112" are open. The operator is able to obtain the proper flame at the nozzle by adjustment of the knob 64 so that the material being heated can be done so in a proper manner.

Usually, the object to be cut must be heated prior to the cutting operation and the heating of the object is accomplished by moving the trigger lever 132 so that the detent ball assembly is in engagement with the groove 154. \Vith the trigger lever 132 so positioned, the plungers 84' and 84 are depressed which permit the flow of gas and oxygen through the valve assemblies 112 and 112" to the distributor shaft 36. With the detent ball assembly 150 in the groove 154, the torch may be ignited and the object heated. When it is desired to perform the cutting operation on the object, the lever 132 is moved until the detent ball assemblies 150 and 152-are in engagement with the groove 156. With the lever 132 so positioned, the plungers 84, 84' and 84" are depressed which permits the flow of oxygen, gas and oxygen through the valve assemblies 112, l 12' and 112" respectively. The oxygen flowing through valve assembly 112 is supplied to the nozzle without passing through the distributor shaft so as to supply an additional source of oxygen to the nozzle so that the cutting operation may be performed.

The operator may conveniently change the oxygen and gas mixture being supplied to the nozzle at any time by simply rotating the knob 64 to a predetermined position. The torch is preferably mounted on a machine rather than being of the hand held variety. It can be seen that an extremely convenient and efficient torch has been provided which may be used for cutting purposes and which permits the mixture of gas and oxygen being used to be conveniently selected. When the cutting operation has been performed, the torch may be turned off by simply pivoting the trigger lever 132 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 so that the valve assemblies 112, 112 and 112" are closed.

Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all its stated objectives.

Iclaim:

l. A cutting torch comprising,

a body portion having a chamber,

a nozzle element at one end of said body portion,

a first conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element,

a second conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element,

a first valve means movably mounted in said body portion and having first and second valve portions in communication with said first and second conduits respectively, said first and second valve portions having a plurality of first and second passageways formed therein respectively, adapted to register with said first and second conduits respectively, upon selective positioning of said first valve means, said passageways in each valve portion being of a different cross-sectional size,

means adapted to connect said first and second conduits to sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, whereupon industrial gas and oxygen can flow through said respective conduits upon the alignment of a passageway in one of said valve portions with said conduits by the movement of said first valve means,

a second valve means in said body portion in communication with said conduits to control the flow of industrial gas and oxygen therethrough,

an oxygen by-pass line extending around said first valve means and being in communication with said source of oxygen and said nozzle element,

a third valve means in said by-pass line,

said second valve means comprising first and second valve members in communication with said sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively,

said first and second valve members and said third valve means each comprising movable valve plungers, said plungers being normally closed to prevent flow therethrough,

and a lever means pivotally mounted on said body portion adapted to selectively engage and open said plungers.

2. The torch of claim 1 wherein first, second and third valve plungers are in said first and second conduits and said by-pass line respectively, said lever means adapted to simultaneously open and close said first and second valve plungers and adapted to open said third valve plunger after said first and second valve plungers have been opened.

3. The torch of claim 2 wherein said lever means includes means to maintain it in various selected positions of its pivotal movement.

4. A cutting torch comprising,

a body portion having a chamber,

a nozzle element at one end of said body portion,

a first conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element,

a second conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element,

a first valve means movably mounted in said body portion and having first and second valve portions in communication with said first and second conduits respectively, said first and second valve portions having a plurality of first and second passageways formed therein respectively, adapted to register with said first and second conduits respectively, upon selective positioning of said first valve means, said passageways in each valve portion being of a different cross-sectional size,

means adapted to connect said first and second conduits to sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, whereupon industrial gas and oxygen can flow through said respective conduits upon the alignment of a passageway in one of said valve portions with said conduits by the movement of said I first valve means,

a second valve means in said body portion in communication with said conduits to control the flow of industrial gas and oxygen therethrough,

said first valve means comprising a shaft portion having a skirt at its lower end, said skirt including first and second skirt portions,

said first and second passageways being formed in said first and second skirt portions respectively, said first passageways being sealed from said second passageways.

5. The torch of claim 4 wherein said first passageways extend around and through said first skirt portion and have a decreasing cross-sectional area, said second passageways extending around and through said second skirt portion and having an increasing crosssectional area.

6. A cutting torch comprising,

a body portion having a chamber,

a nozzle element at one end of said body portion,

a first conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element,

a second conduit extending through said body portion to said noule element,

a first valve means movably mounted in said body portion and having first and second valve portions in communication with said first and second conduits respectively, said first and second valve portions having a plurality of first and second passageways formed therein respectively, adapted to register with said first and second conduits respectively, upon selective positioning of said first valve means, said passageways in each valve portion being of a different cross-sectional size,

means adapted to connect said first and second conduits to sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, whereupon industrial gas and oxygen can flow through said respective conduits upon the alignment of a passageway in one of said valve portions with said conduits by the movement of said first valve means,

a second valve means in said body portion in communication with said conduits to control the flow of industrial gas and oxygen therethrough,

said second valve means comprising first and second normally closed valve members in communication with said sources of industrial gas and oxygen .respectively,

and a lever means pivotally mounted on said body portion adapted to selectively engage and open said first and second valve members for supplying industrial gas and oxygen to said first valve means.

7. The torch of claim 6 wherein an oxygen by-pass line extends around said first valve means and is in communication with said source of oxygen and said nozzle element, and a normally closed third valve means in said bypass line, said lever means being adapted to open said third valve means after said first and second valve members have been opened.

8. A cutting torch comprising,

a body portion having a cavity formed therein,

a nozzle element at one end of said body portion,

first and second conduits in said body portion and being in communication with said cavity and said nozzle element and extending therebetween,

third and fourth conduits in said body portion and being in communication with sources of industrial gas and oxygen respective, said third and fourth conduits also being in communication with said cavity,

a rotary mixing valve mounted in said cavity adapted to permit selective mixtures of industrial gas and oxygen to flow to said nozzle element,

said body portion having an oxygen by-pass line ex tending therethrough which is not in communication with said cavity and which extends to said nozzle element, said by-pass line being in communication with a source of oxygen,

a first normally closed valve means in said third conduit,

a second normally closed valve means in said fourth conduit,

a third normally closed valve means in said by-pass line,

each of said first, second and third valve means compressing movable valve plungers, and a lever means pivotally mounted on said body portion adapted to simultaneously open the valve plungers of said first and second valve means, said lever means adapted to open the valve plunger of said third valve means after said first and second valve means have been opened. 

1. A cutting torch comprising, a body portion having a chamber, a nozzle element at one end of said body portion, a first conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element, a second conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element, a first valve means movably mounted in said body portion and having first and second valve portions in communication with said first and second conduits respectively, said first and second valve portions having a plurality of first and second passageways formed therein respectively, adapted to register with said first and second conduits respectively, upon selective positioning of said first valve means, said passageways in each valve portion being of a different crosssectional size, means adapted to connect said first and second conduits to sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, whereupon industrial gas and oxygen can flow through said respective conduits upon the alignment of a passageway in one of said valve portions with said conduits by the movement of said first valve means, a second valve means in said body portion in communication with said conduits to control the flow of industrial gas and oxygen therethrough, an oxygen by-pass line extending around said first valve means and being in communication with said source of oxygen and said nozzle element, a third valve means in said by-pass line, said second valve means comprising first and second valve members in communication with said sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, said first and second valve members and said third valve means each comprising movable valve plungers, said plungers being normally closed to prevent flow therethrough, and a lever means pivotally mounted on said body portion adapted to selectively engage and open said plungers.
 2. The torch of claim 1 wherein first, second and third valve plungers are in said first and second conduits and said by-pass line respectively, said lever means adapted to simultaneously open and close said first and second valve plungers and adapted to open said third valve plunger after said first and second valve plungers have been opened.
 3. The torch of claim 2 wherein said lever means includes means to maintain it in various selected positions of its pivotal movement.
 4. A cutting torch comprising, a body portion having a chamber, a nozzle element at one end of said body portion, a first conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element, a second conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element, a first valve means movably mounted in said body portion and having first and second valve portions in communication with said first and second conduits respectively, said first and second valve portions having a plurality of first and second passageways formed therein respectively, adapted to register with said first and second conduits respectively, upon selective positioning of said first valve means, said passageways in each valve portion being of a different cross-sectional size, means adapted to connect said first and second conduits to sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, whereupon industrial gas and oxygen can flow through said respective conduits upon the alignment of a passageway in one of said valve portions with said conduits by the movement of said first valve means, a second valve means in said body portion in communication with said conduits to control the flow of industrial gas and oxygen therethrough, said first valve means comprising a shaft portion having a skirt at its lower end, said skirt including first and second skirt portions, said first and second passageways being formed in said first and second skirt portions respectively, said first passageways being sealed from said second passageways.
 5. The torch of claim 4 wherein said first passageways extend around and through said first skirt portion and have a decreasing cross-sectional area, said second passageways extending around and through said second skirt portion and having an increasing cross-sectional area.
 6. A cutting torch comprising, a body portion having a chamber, a nozzle element at one end of said body portion, a first conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element, a second conduit extending through said body portion to said nozzle element, a first valve means movably mounted in said body portion and having first and second valve portions in communication with said first and second conduits respectively, said first and second valve portions having a plurality of first and second passageways formed therein respectively, adapted to register with said first and second conduits respectively, upon selective positioning of said first valve means, said passageways in each valve portion being of a different cross-sectional size, means adapted to connect said first and second conduits to sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, whereupon industrial gas and oxygen can flow through said respective conduits upon the alignment of a passageway in one of said valve portions with said conduits by the movement of said first valve means, a second valve means in said body portion in communication with said conduits to control the flow of industrial gas and oxygen therethrough, said second valve means comprising first and second normally closed valve members in communication with said sources of industrial gas and oxygen respectively, and a lever means pivotally mounted on said body portion adapted to selectively engage and open said first and second valve members for supplying industrial gas and oxygen to said first valve means.
 7. The torch of claim 6 wherein an oxygen by-pass line extends around said first valve means and is in communication with said sOurce of oxygen and said nozzle element, and a normally closed third valve means in said bypass line, said lever means being adapted to open said third valve means after said first and second valve members have been opened.
 8. A cutting torch comprising, a body portion having a cavity formed therein, a nozzle element at one end of said body portion, first and second conduits in said body portion and being in communication with said cavity and said nozzle element and extending therebetween, third and fourth conduits in said body portion and being in communication with sources of industrial gas and oxygen respective, said third and fourth conduits also being in communication with said cavity, a rotary mixing valve mounted in said cavity adapted to permit selective mixtures of industrial gas and oxygen to flow to said nozzle element, said body portion having an oxygen by-pass line extending therethrough which is not in communication with said cavity and which extends to said nozzle element, said by-pass line being in communication with a source of oxygen, a first normally closed valve means in said third conduit, a second normally closed valve means in said fourth conduit, a third normally closed valve means in said by-pass line, each of said first, second and third valve means compressing movable valve plungers, and a lever means pivotally mounted on said body portion adapted to simultaneously open the valve plungers of said first and second valve means, said lever means adapted to open the valve plunger of said third valve means after said first and second valve means have been opened. 